Neighbors: Blood drive honors West grad Reigna Shearer

The family of Reigna L. Shearer of Painted Post organized a blood drive to honor the late woman's memory.

Reigna’s parents, Celeste and Eric Shearer of Painted Post, stand in front of the billboard along state Route 352 near Big Flats that advertises the American Red Cross blood drive being held in honor of their late daughter.(Photo: PROVIDED PHOTO)

Story Highlights

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held to honor the memory of Reigna Shearer of Painted Post.

A blood drive to honor the memory of Reigna L. Shearer of Painted Post is exactly the kind of giving the young woman would have wanted, her family said.

"Reigna believed in paying it forward and helping others in need. We want to embrace who she was as a person, thus the idea for this blood drive was born to celebrate the gift of life," said her mother, Celeste Shearer of Painted Post. "That's what she would want."

Reigna (pronounced Ray-na) died Dec. 1, 2012, of complications from a tonsillectomy. She was 24.

The accomplished equestrian and scholar graduated from Corning-Painted Post West High School in 2006 and continued her education at Corning Community College. In 2011, Reigna graduated from Houghton College with degrees in history, education and political science.

At the time of her death, she was a a graduate assistant at Mansfield University. She also worked as a teacher's aide at Erwin Child and Family Center at Pathways.

"(Reigna) was way beyond her years. She was amazing, and still is. She was very strong," Celeste said.

The blood drive, coordinated through the American Red Cross, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Arnot Mall in Big Flats, near J.C. Penney. Reigna's family plans to make the blood drive an annual event.

"We want to honor our beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend," Celeste said. "We would also like to thank all of the generous people who have graciously contributed to and are making this event possible."

"Reigna would be very proud of this," her mother said.

Jennifer Kingsley is a staff writer for the Star-Gazette. Call her at (607) 271-8280 or send an email to jkingsle@gannett.com. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @SGJenniferK.